Crosstalk @thecrosstalkpod.bsky.social · 20/07/2026Episode 9 with Malaika Handa is out now! We discuss mastering midis, the agony of Sundays, standout seed entries, fitting cluing styles to venues, the art of crossword criticism, tips for good mentorship, solvers’ parasocial assumptions, hard puzzles, Timothée Chalamet and opera, and much more! 030
Crosstalk @thecrosstalkpod.bsky.social · 20/07/2026Episode 9 of Crosstalk with Malaika Handa is out now! Spotify: open.spotify.com/episode/5V9T... Apple: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/e... 0103
Crosstalk @thecrosstalkpod.bsky.social · 16/07/2026A smart, ardent appreciation of the power of clues from @tlmberwolves.bsky.social? Yes, please! dailycrosswordlinks.com/guest-essays...dailycrosswordlinks.comIn Defense of Cluesby Will Eisenberg Will is a French horn player, music teacher, and crossword constructor located in the Twin Cities. He is the current 3rd horn of Orchestra Iowa and a founding member of the Minnes… 021
Crosstalk @thecrosstalkpod.bsky.social · 27/04/2026Episode 8 of Crosstalk with Kareem Ayas is out now! Spotify: open.spotify.com/episode/35H0... Apple: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/e... 1163
Crosstalk @thecrosstalkpod.bsky.social · 27/04/2026Episode 8 with Kareem Ayas is out now! We discuss his first theme attempt, constructing as a non-native speaker, overlaps between puzzles and plays, the best revealers, promoting Arab identity, Puzzles for Palestine, making Times midis, clues as Trojan horses, handling rejection, and much more! 130
Crosstalk @thecrosstalkpod.bsky.social · 03/02/2026So excited to be nominated for two 2026 Orcas for Best Sunday-Sized Crossword and Best Crossword-Related Media for my Crosstalk episode with @sidsivakumar.bsky.social! 🤗 You can vote for me or any of the many deserving nominees here: crosswordfiend.com/2026-orcas-i... 350
Crosstalk @thecrosstalkpod.bsky.social · 03/02/2026Episode 7 of Crosstalk with @bewilderingly.bsky.social is out now! Spotify: open.spotify.com/episode/6x9j... Apple: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/e... 085
Crosstalk @thecrosstalkpod.bsky.social · 03/02/2026Episode 7 with @bewilderingly.bsky.social is out now! We discuss solving the ship of Theseus paradox, the qualities of a good crossword editor, training for the ACPT big board, drawing inspiration from visual arts, inferable entries, slightly NSFW clues, craving the weird and wacky, and much more! 010
Crosstalk @thecrosstalkpod.bsky.social · 26/01/2026At another shameful low point in US history, it's nice to have a respite like the Orcas, the 2nd most snazziest award with those letters. @richproulx.bsky.social and his team have a new puzzle pack of 2026 nominees benefitting the vital Trevor Project! Check it out crosswordfiend.com/2026/01/23/1...crosswordfiend.com14th ORCA Awards Puzzle Pack | 001
Crosstalk @thecrosstalkpod.bsky.social · 10/11/2025Episode 6 of Crosstalk with @aimeelucido.bsky.social is out now! Spotify: open.spotify.com/episode/2wpa... Apple: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/e... 061
Crosstalk @thecrosstalkpod.bsky.social · 10/11/2025Episode 6 with renowned author and constructor @aimeelucido.bsky.social is out now! We chat about her new crossword-themed book, getting in the comments, our least favorite fill, the pleasures of trivia and etymology, failing the breakfast test, the clues she still thinks about, and much more! 020
Reposted by CrosstalkLil AVCX @lilavcx.bsky.social · 23/10/2025Lil AVCX is looking for new and emerging constructors to be a part of our 2026 constructing roster. Deadline for applications is November 14, 2025. Here's the information: docs.google.com/document/d/1...docs.google.comLil AVCX: Call for applications for our 2026 constructor rosterLil AVCX: Call for applications for our 2026 constructor roster We’re looking for new and emerging crossword puzzle constructors to regularly contribute “midi” puzzles. Yes, you’ll get paid, and you ... 01413
Crosstalk @thecrosstalkpod.bsky.social · 28/08/2025Episode 5 of Crosstalk with @norahsharpe.bsky.social is out now! Spotify: open.spotify.com/episode/0c1d... Apple: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/e... 161
Crosstalk @thecrosstalkpod.bsky.social · 28/08/2025Episode 5 with super-prolific constructor and 2025 Lollapuzzoola Pairs co-champ @norahsharpe.bsky.social is out now! We chat about creating fresh themes, the secrets of successful collaborations, training for tournaments, repping the Midwest, fave puzzles, advocating for asymmetry, and much more! 072
Crosstalk @thecrosstalkpod.bsky.social · 09/06/2025Episode 4 of Crosstalk with @melvillmatic.bsky.social is out now! Spotify: open.spotify.com/episode/0BjW... Apple: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/e... 040
Crosstalk @thecrosstalkpod.bsky.social · 09/06/2025Episode 4 with the illustrious @melvillmatic.bsky.social is out now! We cover topics such as designing themelesses, getting a "villain edit," his jumbling of cultural lexicons, the politics of fill, personalizing word lists, the entry he was most excited to include, fave puzzles, and much more! 000
Crosstalk @thecrosstalkpod.bsky.social · 08/05/2025My new Universal crossword, "Inside Information," is out now! syndication.andrewsmcmeel.com/puzzles/cros... 020
Reposted by CrosstalkMerriam-Webster @merriam-webster.com · 30/04/2025The word 'clue' was originally a variant spelling of 'clew,' meaning “ball of thread or yarn.” Our modern sense of clue, “guide to the solution of a mystery,” grows out of a motif in myth and folklore, the ball of thread that helps in finding one’s way out of a maze. 221213215
Reposted by Crosstalkbrooke husic @xws.bsky.social · 24/04/2025attn: xword constructors! spread the word(list) now has all of q1, 2025! new highly-ranked answers @enriqueha.bsky.social and i like: TAMAL, BEDCHEM, OKAYBYE, ACEPRIDE, INDIEDEV, VEGANMENU, JERSEYSWAP, LOGICPUZZLE, IVESEENWORSE, ENERGYVAMPIRE, SPOTIFYWRAPPED, CHOICESWEREMADE spreadthewordlist.comspreadthewordlist.comspread the word(list) 0236
Crosstalk @thecrosstalkpod.bsky.social · 16/04/2025Episode 3 of Crosstalk with @sidsivakumar.bsky.social is out now! Spotify: open.spotify.com/episode/1sq5... Apple: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/e... 1112
Crosstalk @thecrosstalkpod.bsky.social · 16/04/2025Sorry for the delay, but Episode 3 with @sidsivakumar.bsky.social is definitely worth the wait! We cover topics like crosswords as art, how science and engineering relate to constructing, South Asian culture, crafting the final ACPT puzzle and Super Mega, and the surprising places Sid writes clues. 030
Crosstalk @thecrosstalkpod.bsky.social · 20/03/2025My first Thursday in the Times. Hope you enjoy! 3120
Crosstalk @thecrosstalkpod.bsky.social · 24/02/2025If you enjoyed my NYT collaboration with @rafaxword.bsky.social yesterday, check out our discussion of all things crossword in the debut episode of Crosstalk! open.spotify.com/episode/1T1y... 150
Crosstalk @thecrosstalkpod.bsky.social · 14/02/2025Support These Puzzles Fund Abortion (@tpfa.bsky.social) at www.abortionpuzzles.com and pre-order their new puzzle pack (fund.nnaf.org/campaign/the...) now! 0102
Crosstalk @thecrosstalkpod.bsky.social · 12/02/2025In Episode 2, Rachel shouted out puzzle people such as: - David Steinberg (@davidsteinberg.bsky.social) - Jeff Chen - Nate Cardin (@naytnaytnayt.bsky.social) - Finn Vigeland (@fvigeland.bsky.social) - Claire Rimkus - Rebecca Goldstein (@rebecculous.bsky.social) 160
Crosstalk @thecrosstalkpod.bsky.social · 10/02/2025As Rachel mentions in Episode 2, make sure to check out and bookmark this terrific Crossword Publication Specs resource from Matthew Stock: docs.google.com/spreadsheets...docs.google.comCrossword Publication Specs 051
Crosstalk @thecrosstalkpod.bsky.social · 10/02/2025In Episode 2, Rachel and I discuss topics like: - Being mentored and mentoring others - Writing the Wordplay column - The construction process - What makes a good theme - Cryptics - Collaborating with a celebrity - Grid art - Fundraising for These Puzzles Fund Abortion - Advice for constructing 140
Crosstalk @thecrosstalkpod.bsky.social · 10/02/2025I'm excited to share Episode 2 of Crosstalk with Rachel Fabi (@fabioethics.bsky.social) is out now! We discuss mentorship, cryptics, where to submit, Jeopardy!, and more! Spotify: open.spotify.com/episode/1BMz... Apple: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/c... Amazon: music.amazon.com/podcasts/f7c... 0143
Crosstalk @thecrosstalkpod.bsky.social · 09/02/2025In episode 1, folks that Rafa shouted out include: - Sid Sivakumar (@sidsivakumar.bsky.social) - Robyn Weintraub (@robynw414.bsky.social) - Adam Wagner (@adamwagner.bsky.social) - Rebecca Goldstein (@rebecculous.bsky.social) - Kate Chin Park - Michael Lieberman (@footnote24.bsky.social) 190
Crosstalk @thecrosstalkpod.bsky.social · 09/02/2025In the debut episode, Rafael Musa (@rafaxword.bsky.social) and I touched on topics like: - How he started constructing - His first attempt at a puzzle - Lessons learned - How to start a themeless - Switching to Ingrid - Dream collaborators - The puzzle he "really hated" - Advice for beginners 040
Crosstalk @thecrosstalkpod.bsky.social · 09/02/2025Last month, the Crosstalk podcast debuted its first episode and got a fantastic response! Thanks to all of our listeners. If you haven't heard it yet, check it out now! Spotify: open.spotify.com/episode/1T1y... Apple: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/e... Amazon: music.amazon.com/podcasts/f7c... 020
